Lelliott said St Andrew’s must take every step possible to ensure “young people are not being secluded for longer than is strictly necessary”.

Senior clinicians and managers concluded they could not meet the needs of three patients.

57 incidents of staff injury

Between July 31 and October 312018, the hospital recorded 57 incidents of staff injury.

During one incident, five different staff members went to the local A&E for facial, head and abdomen injuries.

Lelliott added that staff worked actively to protect people. He said they involved patients in planning their care. He also said they encouraged patients to keep in contact with important people in their lives.

A St Andrew’s spokesperson said independent reviews of long-term segregation were now taking place.